Unable to reinstall macOS from recovery error -2002F

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gop1947 Author

Level 1

10 points

Unable to reinstall macOS from recovery error -2002F

Starting-up with the Shift/Option/Cmd R or even just Cmd R keys opens up the screen with a revolving world. Selecting the WiFi options and entering a password of the WiFi setting I am now on (the modem is barely a foot away)The restore process appears to be happening until about 10-15 minutes when it stops with the error code. I also connected an ethernet cable to the MacBook but I am unsure if this was working properly as it made no difference. Is this a WiFi issue or something to do with what I did to cause the problem in the first place when I was getting the MacBookAir ready to sell and I may have wiped the whole SSD clean. Thanks for any assistance that anyone can provide.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″

Posted on May 15, 2023 11:32 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

SteffoV

Level 1

9 points

Mar 12, 2024 03:56 AM in response to gop1947

I was having the same issue with my MacBook Pro. To resolve the issue I added a secondary DNS entry of 8.8.8.8 and restarted the laptop and the recovery was able to connect.

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

100,237 points

May 17, 2023 03:56 AM in response to gop1947

" password to the hard drive (not the actual computer) "

This would indicate a Firmware Password

The Firmware Password would be required to start the computer and loads Before the User Account Password is presented

Set a firmware password on your Mac

When you set a firmware password, users who don't have the password can't start up from any disk other than the designated startup disk.

This feature requires a Mac with an Intel processor. For the equivalent level of security on a Mac with Apple silicon, simply turn on FileVault. If the Mac is managed by MDM (mobile device management), MDM administrators can also remotely lock the Mac.

How to turn on a firmware password

Start up from macOS Recovery.
When the utilities window appears, click Utilities in the menu bar, then choose Startup Security Utility or Firmware Password Utility.
Click Turn On Firmware Password.
Enter a firmware password in the fields provided, then click Set Password. Remember this password.
Quit the utility, then choose Apple menu  > Restart.

Your Mac asks for the firmware password only when attempting to start up from a storage device other than the one selected in Startup Disk preferences, or when starting up from macOS Recovery. Enter the firmware password when you see the lock and password field:

How to turn off a firmware password

Start up from macOS Recovery. During startup, you will be prompted to enter the firmware password.
When the utilities window appears, click Utilities in the menu bar, then choose Startup Security Utility or Firmware Password Utility.
Click Turn Off Firmware Password.
Enter the firmware password again when prompted.
Quit the utility, then choose Apple menu  > Restart.

If you forgot your firmware password

If you can't remember your firmware password, schedule an in-person service appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. Bring your Mac to the appointment, and bring your original receipt or invoice as proof of purchase.

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Answer 3

Ingo2711

Level 9

77,715 points

May 15, 2023 11:41 PM in response to gop1947

Did you already check this related discussion and the suggestions given?

What’s -2002f - Apple Community

Can you connect your MacBook Air to the internet, using an Ethernet adapter?

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Answer 4

gop1947 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 16, 2023 01:30 AM in response to Ingo2711

That appears to be the problem but I cannot figure out why as my other Macs are sitting next to it connected to the same network and with the same settings. I have just given the Mac to a friend to see if it will connect to their WiFi and will let you know how it goes. thanks

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Answer 5

gop1947 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 17, 2023 01:22 AM in response to Owl-53

Correct. The 'issue' stems from originally trying to get my old MacBook Air A1466 2015-17 ready for sale. I reached the point where a new owner could enter their details. At that point I realised I should have taken photos of 'About this Mac' to include in the ad so I continued to enter data as if I was the new owner until I reached a point where I was asked for the password to the hard drive (not the actual computer). The password that was accepted was the one I used so I thought I had not cleared all the data off the laptop. I cannot recall the next step but think I deleted the hard drive and have been locked out ever since. Apologies for convoluted story!

I have just tried to restart my old MBAir using Target Disk mode resulting in both laptops flashing ZigZag arrows and USB but nothing else. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer.

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Answer 6

gop1947 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 21, 2023 07:50 PM in response to Owl-53

I cannot access Firmware Password as all key combinations at start-up result in my getting the folder with a ? mark except Cmd-R for Internet recovery. When I enter the wireless options, including using my iPhone as a hotspot, internet recovery starts but stops after several minutes with the error message 2002F. I have also tried accessing the internet elsewhere with the same result. This could be to do with network settings but changing them is beyond my limited knowledge. Several times the revolving globe at the start of Internet recovery turns blue if this means anything. I've contacted Apple but they could not help with a solution. So I'm now completely locked out.

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Answer 7

gop1947 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 21, 2023 10:43 PM in response to Ingo2711

Yes, I've tried all the key combos, including NVRAM and the only one that worked was Cmd/P to start internet recovery. Also attached the ethernet cable via an adapter to a USB port, as there is no ethernet port on my MacBookAir. No indication that it had been recognised and no outcome. It has got me and an Apple support person puzzled. Taking it to a 'genius bar' tomorrow with not a great deal of confidence that it can be fixed.

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Answer 8

gop1947 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 21, 2023 11:21 PM in response to Ingo2711

Does it matter which LAN port on the back of my Modem/Router I plug the Ethernet cable into? Should an Ethernet cable connection show up as an option on the Internet recovery set-up screen? It hasn't when I have tried this so difficult to know whether it was connecting.

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Answer 9

Ingo2711

Level 9

77,715 points

May 22, 2023 02:15 AM in response to gop1947

It should not matter, to which LAN port you connect your Ethernet cable to, unless internal router settings can block this port.

If you go into the router settings, you should be able to see, if there is a device connected to one of those Ethernet ports.

And your MacBook Air should detect the Internet connection via Ethernet automatically as an option to connect to Apple.

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Answer 10

Rob_Dog

Level 1

14 points

Mar 11, 2024 12:41 PM in response to gop1947

I had this last month with a 2020 MBP I bought new September 2021. Over Christmas it started crashing, and got worse until it stopped booting with 2002F. Took it to the Apple Store and they diagnosed a faulty logic board that would cost £600 to replace, after only 26 months service. Worse still, the part is only warranted for 90 days, which I don’t think would fill me with confidence as the ebay is full of Macbooks 2019- with a faulty logic board. The laptop cost me £1800. I’m very disappointed and Apple were uninterested when I called them. Worse, they removed this story where I posted it on a different page because they said it was not constructive. You’d think they would be interested in customers having failing products in common.

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